Installing WordPress Plugins and Themes

Exact Hosting WordPress Hosting includes WordPress Manager, a self-service tool that lets you install, activate, update, and remove plugins and themes directly from your Exact Hosting account.

About WordPress Manager

WordPress Manager is part of your Exact Hosting WordPress Hosting service. It provides a single interface for managing plugins and themes without needing to log in to the WordPress admin area. For more about navigating the manager, see The WordPress Manager Hosting Guide.

Before you begin

• An active Exact Hosting WordPress Hosting service. Plugin and theme management is available once your WordPress installation is provisioned.
• A completed SSL provisioning. SSL provisioning may take up to 24 hours after activation.

Step 1: Open WordPress Manager

1. Log in to the Exact Hosting client area.
2. Select Services.
3. Click Active next to your WordPress Hosting service.
4. Click the Manage icon for your WordPress installation.

Managing existing plugins

1. From the WordPress Manager, select Plugins.
2. Use the four action icons next to each plugin to manage it:

Step 2: Install a new plugin

1. From the WordPress Manager, select Plugins.
2. Click Add new and search for the plugin you want to install.
3. Click Add next to your plugin.
4. Click Confirm to install the plugin.
5. Click the Installed tab.
6. Click Activate on the plugin.
7. Click Confirm to activate.

Step 3: Install a new theme

1. From the WordPress Manager, select Themes.
2. Click Add new and search for the theme you want to install.
3. Click Add next to your theme.
4. Click Confirm to install the theme.
5. Click the Installed tab.
6. Click Activate on the theme.
7. Click Confirm to activate.

Next steps

• Update plugins and themes regularly. See Updating WordPress plugins and Updating WordPress themes.
• Test changes on a staging site first. See Creating a Managed WordPress staging site.

Questions? Contact Exact Hosting Support.